Box fastener



March '22 1927.

1,621,630 5. DEBUS BOX FASTENER Filed Nov. 19, 1925 Patented Mar. 22, 1927.

EATENT BPX FASTENER- This invention relates to securing means for boxes, crates and like containers for storing and shipping commodities and provides a fastening adapted for use with a seal so that in the event of surreptitious opening of the box detection is rendered possible. i

The invention provides a fastening of peculiar structure adapted chiefly for a box or like article embodying a hinged cover, and having the top of the body and the front of the cover reinforced bya strip, the com plemental parts of the fastening being at tached to'the strips ofthe'body and cover, respectively.

While the drawings illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention it is to be understood that in adapting the means to meet specific needs and requirements the design may be varied, and such other changes in the minor details of construction may be resorted to within the scope of the invention as claimed, without departing from the spirit thereof.

For a full understanding of the invention and the merits thereof, reference is to be had to the following description and the drawings hereto attached, in whi.ch,

Figure 1 is a sectional view of a box fastener embodying the invention showing the same applied to the preferred type of box,

Figure 2' is a rear elevational view of the fastener showing the same applied,

Figure 3 is a detail view of the blank from which the stop is formed,

Figure 4 is a detail view of the blank from which the angle base is formed, and

Figure 5 is a detail view of the blank from which the keeper is formed.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and designated in the several views of the drawings by like reference characters.

The fastener is designed for use in con nection with a box of the type illustrated and comprising a cover: 1 having a marginal reinforcing strip 2, and a body 3 having a reinforcing strip 1 adjacent the top. How ever, slight changes in the structure of the fastener may be resorted to within the scope of the invention as claimed, when adapting it to the various makes of boxes, crates and other containers in which commodities are usually stored and shipped.

The fastener comprises complemental parts, one of the parts being attached to the re, 1925. Serial No. 70,144.

cover 1 and the other to the body ofthe box, or conta ner, each of the parts having an extension, in which is formed an opening to receive a seal 5 so that in the event of the box being tampered with the same will be readily detected. The part applied to the body of the" box comprises an angle base comprising members 6 and 7 which constitute parts of ablank substantially as outlined in Figure 4, saidblankbeingbent along the dotted line to bring opposite 'endportions ata right angle to. each oft-her. VVh'en the' base is in J-ositi'on themember- 6 extends over-the top ofthe reinforcing stfip i and the member 7 is disposed against the inner or rear side of said strip, the two members being attached to the strips by suitable fastening means.

A keeper is mounted upon the member 7 of the angle base and is formed from a blank having the outline indicated in Figure 5 and bent along the dotted lines to form a housing 8 and oppositely disposed flanges 9. The keeper may be bolted or otherwise secured to the member 7 of the angle base, the fastenings passing through corresponding openings formed in the flanges 9 and member 7.

The latch comprises a body portion 10 pivoted intermediate its ends to the side walls of the housing 8, as indicated at 11. said body having a head 12 and a lateral extension 13 forming a finger piece which projects through an opening in the front of the box adjacent the reinforcing strips 4. The head 12 is beveled and formed with a shoulder or projection 14 adapted to cooperate with the stop whereby to secure the cover 1 when the latter is closed and made fast. The body 10 of the latch is received within the housing 8 of the keeper and its headed end is pressed forwardly by means of a spring 15 which is mounted upon the pivot 11 about which it is coiled, the end portions of the spring engaging the latch and keeper, as shown most clearly in Figure 1.

The stop, formed from a blank having the outline substantially as shown in Figure 3, is

and member 17 are in the same plane, Where.- as the member 16 is at a right angle to the plane of the wing 18 and parallel to the member 17, in which is -formed an opening 20 to receive the shoulder or projecting por tion 1 1 of the latch. The member 16 constitutes a guard to limit the forward movement of the latch when in engagement with the stop. The part 17 constitutes the latch engaging member of the stop.

. When the fastening is in position it is located Within the box, or like part, as shown most clearly in Figure 1, the only portions projecting being the finger piece 13 and the apertured extensions of the parts 6 and 18 so as to receive the seal when the box is closed and locked. Before the box can be opened the seal 5 must be broken and up Ward pressure upon the finger piece moves the head 12 of the latch rearwardly, thereby releasing the stop and admitting of the cover 1 being moved into open position. The projecting portion-of the finger piece 13, being disposed adjacent the lower side of the reinforcing strip 1, is protected thereby.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

A; box fastener comprising a stop including angularly disposed wings and a loop in the plane of one of the Wings and at a right angle to the other Wing, the outer member of the loop having a latch opening, an angle base adapted to fit within the angle formed by the said loop and the Wing disposed at an angle thereto, a keeper attached to the Wing of the base in contact with the loop portion of the stop, a latch comprising a body piv oted intermediate its ends within the keeper and having a locking head at its upper end and a forwardly projecting finger piece at its lower end, and a spring normally urging the locking head forwardly.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

I SANDER DEBUS. [1,. 5.] 

